Together we will mourn,

with sadness, tears, and fears.

(juntos lamentaremos con tristezas, lagrimas, y miedo)

Together we will love our

dear Zaida, ourselves, and each other.

(Juntos vamos a adorar nuestra querida Zaida, y cada uno de nosotros)

Together we will live,

for her, for us, for them to come.

(Juntos vamos a vivir por Ella, por nosotros y por lo que vienen)

Together we will heal,

in memory of our beloved Zaida (Mom, Grandma, Titi, Madrina, and Friend)

(Juntos podemos sanar, en la memoria de la amada Zaida (Mama, Abuela, Titi, Madrina, y Amiga)

(copyright Michele Melen)

Zaida Martinez , age 72 born June 1, 1950 in Puerto Rico and died peacefully surrounded by family on August 31, 2022 in Newport News, Virginia.

She was born to Juana Cora Vazquez (mother) and Jesus Ayala Casado (father)

Brother Jesus Cancel and Sister Edith Cancel

Married to the late Marcelino Martinez Mendizabal in September 12, 1968 and shared 39 years of marriage. She was a military wife with many talents. In her early adulthood, Zaida served as the first woman operator for Puerto Rico’s telephone services. She also took other roles as a beautician and as an artist with the interest of ceramic art and doing mechanical work on her cars.  She loved to watch television with favoring old movies and novellas.

Children

Hector Martinez (Son) & Shawnte Gwathney, wife

Marcelino (Gordo) Martinez (Son)  & Kelly Martinez, wife

Katherine Panetta (Daughter )

Samantha T. Santana (God Daughter)

Grandchildren

Dashawn Bassett, Ursell Martinez, Jose Martinez, Mateo Torres, Yvette Martinez, Marcelino Martinez III, Dominique Panetta, Dashon Hunt, Malik Hunt, Sacarey Jones, & Zaria Jones

Great Grandchildren 

Kyng, Amila, Jo’El

Predeceased

Husband, Marcelino Martinez , brother, Jose Cancel, and Grandson, Hector Martinez Jr.

Family

Host of loving nieces, nephews, and extending family members and friends

She will greatly be missed by her family and friends. Services will be held on Friday September 9, 2022 in Florida where she also will be laid to rest with her late husband at the Florida National Cemetery